An English-language blog on current affairs in the Republic of Moldova.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Hero, not traitor

Transnistrian television yesterday showed footage of jailed journalist Ernest Vardanian "confessing to treason against the Transnistrian state". In his statement, Vardanian declared that he had been working (under duress) for the Moldovan security services since the year 2000, and gave significant detail in support.

I am not in a position to know whether Vardanian's statement is the truth or has been trumped up by the Transnistrian regime. What I do know however, is that Transnistria is not a state, but a region ruled by a regime of bandits. You cannot commit treason against a state which doesn't exist and against an illegitimate authority that took up arms against a constitutional government.

In fact, Vardanian is a Moldovan hero. He has staked his career, his family and his freedom in the service of the people of both Transnistria and the broader Republic of Moldova by attempting to bring about contacts and reconciliation between the two banks of the Nistru.

The international community should increase the pressure for his release and for the lancing of the Transnistrian boil on Europe's backside.